Malnourished 5week old

[Neely]

I just rescued a 5 week old female grey. I had to give her a bath to get all the caked on poop off, she's now drying in a warm towel on a heating pad. The lady who had her has fed her kitten milk and she's had diarrhea for 3 weeks. Do I just need to get her dry an warm an give her pedialyte for a few hours and then start fox valley? Am I leaving any steps out? She's super lethargic an the lady said for 2 days she's had no milk only avocados!! Please help so I don't lose this baby!

[farrelli]

I'm not an expert, but I think that's the plan. Don't combine the FV with Pedialyte or serve them too closely together. You might also put some molasses on her gums if she's really lethargic to give her some sugar and minerals.

The experts should be chiming in soon, though today a lot of people seem to be MIA for some reason.

Btw, have you done the pinch test to see how hydrated she is? If she's dehydrated, the food won't be absorbed well.

[Milo's Mom]

I would give her the Homemade Hydration Recipe.

1 cup warm water
1/4 tsp salt (teaspoon)
1 Tbsp sugar (tablespoon)

I would do this for 12 hours as much as she wants as often as she wants. If she is taking A LOT, cut out the salt. This is to flush the Kitten formula out of her and also hydrate her due to the runny poops.

Then after 12 hours of hydrating, I'd start her on some 4:1 FV. If she does well with it, after a few feedings worth go to 3:1 FV. Then if all continues to be good, go to full strength FV.

Go slow and keep her warm.

[island rehabber]

I agree with Milo's Mom in all but one thing: if she is severely malnourished and dehydrated you may want to start that dilute Fox Valley formula at 6hrs, not 12. I am fearful that 12 hours with virtually no calories may send this girl into a tailspin expecially when she hasn't been taking formula at all for 2 days.

Good luck! Keep us posted -- we'll be here!

[Milo's Mom]

I agree with Milo's Mom in all but one thing: if she is severely malnourished and dehydrated you may want to start that dilute Fox Valley formula at 6hrs, not 12. I am fearful that 12 hours with virtually no calories may send this girl into a tailspin expecially when she hasn't been taking formula at all for 2 days.

Good luck! Keep us posted -- we'll be here!


Thank you IR...I missed the last sentence entirely!

[stepnstone]

:Welcome Neely :wave123
Kitten milk and diarrhea pretty much goes hand in hand for a squirrel. :shakehead

You have been given good advice :thumbsup

Once you have her flushed of the kitten milk, hydrated, and started on the
FV you should see a big turn around. ~ Prayers for your baby.

[Neely]

I've given the hydration solution to her twice, I'm already seeing a huge improvement, she even hopped around a lil after the last hydration, thank y'all, I'll keep y'all posted!

[island rehabber]

I've given the hydration solution to her twice, I'm already seeing a huge improvement, she even hopped around a lil after the last hydration, thank y'all, I'll keep y'all posted!

:bowdown Neely! That's great, keep up the good work!

[Nancy in New York]

Do you have a weight on her?

[Neely]

86 grams

[Nancy in New York]

86 grams


OK then I am more hopeful. That really isn't TOO bad for what this little one has been through, still underweight though.
Glad she found her way to you!

[Neely]

She's not urinated yet but she's had 2 formed poops not watery like this morning, she's moving around a lot more. I think I'm going to call her Hope!

[kastillo]

Yea! :D Keep us posted! Just do smaller feedings more often with the dilute and gradually work your way up to full strength, and hydration in between.

[Neely]

She seems to not be doing as well now, she's weak and I noticed her 2 front top teeth are exposed there's nothing covering them, I've just given her a lil amoxicillin too

[Nancy in New York]

She seems to not be doing as well now, she's weak and I noticed her 2 front top teeth are exposed there's nothing covering them, I've just given her a lil amoxicillin too

Not sure what you mean by nothing is covering them.?
Can you post a picture of her?

[Neely]

How do I post a pic?

[Nancy in New York]

How do I post a pic?
email it to me and I will post.
***

[Nancy in New York]

Are you feeding her anything or just hydrating?

[Neely]

Yes I gave her 3ccs of diluted fv

[SammysMom]

Not anything to add except prayers. So glad she found her way to you...:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Neely]

Thanks I'm doing all I can an I really appreciate all the advice :), I just raised 3 who are ready for release in the next week or so, I never had single problem with them

[Nancy in New York]

Here she is. I will post in a minute.

http://i673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/nancym518/A%20tsb%20images/photo2.jpg

[Nancy in New York]

She looks so tiny. Is there a way to get a photo of her whole body?
I'm not sure what is going on with her teeth, but she does look so skinny.
If we can find someone in your area to take her, would you turn her over.
By the way, where exactly are you located? I mean the city, not the street.

[SammysMom]

She looks thin and dehydrated to me... :Love_Icon

[Nancy in New York]

Please forgive me for asking you may have already said.
How long have you had her?
What is she currently eating, and how often?
Have you hydrated her?
Are you keeping her in a container with a heating pad half under the container?
Is her chest wet?
You may have to go extremely slow with her and almost feed her drop by drop. Do you have the time to do this? It may need to be done round the clock too, this little one looks in bad shape.

[kastillo]

I just rescued a 5 week old female grey. I had to give her a bath to get all the caked on poop off, she's now drying in a warm towel on a heating pad. The lady who had her has fed her kitten milk and she's had diarrhea for 3 weeks. Do I just need to get her dry an warm an give her pedialyte for a few hours and then start fox valley? Am I leaving any steps out? She's super lethargic an the lady said for 2 days she's had no milk only avocados!! Please help so I don't lose this baby!

Here ya go Nancy. Sounds like she's badly malnourished. That pic was taken right after the bath??

I'm not sure what's going on with her teeth, but they don't look right to me.

[kastillo]

You can rub a bit of karo syrup on the tip of the nipple when giving the dilute formula or re hydration solution.
The sweetness perks them up and sometimes stimulates them to eat better.

What was that lady thinking!?!? Only avocado for 2 days!! Ugh:shakehead

[Nancy in New York]

You can rub a bit of karo syrup on the tip of the nipple when giving the dilute formula or re hydration solution.
The sweetness perks them up and sometimes stimulates them to eat better.

What was that lady thinking!?!? Only avocado for 2 days!! Ugh:shakehead


Thanks kastillo.
Wow not only the avocado for 2 days but diarrhea for three weeks prior?
Do you want us to try to find help for you?

[sid'smommy]

Awww... so sweet :) I think that gap in her teeth is gonna cause some problems tho. Is she knawing on an antler or anything yet ?

[Neely]

One of her legs seems paralyzed now MBD maybe???

[Skul]

Awww... so sweet :) I think that gap in her teeth is gonn kind of normal for a very a cause some problems tho. Is she knawing on an antler or anything yet ?
That's pretty normal for a very young squirrel.
She won't be able to gnaw on anything for several more weeks.
My age guess is closer to four weeks at the most due to tooth comment.
You're doing fine Neely. Time to work on the formula thing, and get her body in shape.
We all had to learn ourselves, so don't feel bad.

[Nancy in New York]

My age guess is closer to four weeks at the most due to tooth comment.

Her eyes are opened though....and that usually happens at 5 weeks.:dono

[Nancy in New York]

One of her legs seems paralyzed now MBD maybe???

What is the leg doing? Was she walking before and now she can't?

[MollyBear361]

Thankgoodness she figured oUT what she was doing wasn't working and she got to you. Will be praying for her a lot. :grouphug

[Neely]

I personally know my local rehabber she's been giving me ideas all day too, I've only had her since this morning, the lady saw she was sick an called me to see if I could take her, I asked for her weeks ago because I wanted to start her on fox valley and Henry's growth blocks, but she wouldn't let me take her so now I'm stuck with this!!

[Neely]

Yes she was walking earlier just fine now she drags one leg, I just won't an got her some tums

[Skul]

I personally know my local rehabber she's been giving me ideas all day too, I've only had her since this morning, the lady saw she was sick an called me to see if I could take her, I asked for her weeks ago because I wanted to start her on fox valley and Henry's growth blocks, but she wouldn't let me take her so now I'm stuck with this!!
You're stuck with a sweet little squirrel that needs your help.
What could be better? :wahoo

She doesn't have MBD. She just needs nourishment.

[Neely]

I washed her bottom and legs when I 1st got her because her tail was stuck to her leg in dry poop, I was afraid to wash all of her with her being so weak, I guess her chest is just dirty dry hair, the syrup perked her up enough to eat 4ccs of diluted fv, she wasn't urinating so I stimulated her and sum white pus came out and then tons an tons of clear urnine prob all the pedlyte I put in her today, she's peed good urnine 3 times now and no more diarrhea still seems weak tho

[Neely]

So I shouldn't give her any tums then?

[Skul]

So I shouldn't give her any tums then?
No. She doesn't need that at all.
Just think about getting her moved to the formula.
You're doing fine.

[Neely]

Ok thanks :)

[kastillo]

Poor baby. You've got a sweet little mess on your hands there.
Hope she can get some calories into her.
I believe you can do sugar water in between feedings to keep her hydrated once you have moved to full strength formula.

I never hesitate to use syrup on the nipple. Gives em an extra sugar boost when they are in a pitiful state like this one.

Keep up the good work. Small amounts more often. Don't want to shock her system.

[Nancy in New York]

She seems weak because she IS weak. She came to you very compromised, it took her a while to get like that but it always takes longer to get them better. Are you up to the task? You said you are working with a rehabber?
Have you had squirrels before?
As long as you have the time and patience, she will be in great hands. This poor little darling through no fault of hers, has found her way to you.
If you are up to the task, then only you can turn her life around.
Thank you for taking her but please reach out for help if this is over your head.
:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Skul]

Ok thanks :)
The pleasure is mine.
Go help the baby.

[Neely]

Yes I've also got 3, 7 month old squirrels I raised from 2 week old babies waiting on the leaves to fully bloom out so I can release them. I have nothing but time I'm a stay at home mom whose kids are all in school now! I don't want to get my hopes up but she's acting a whole lot better! She tried to climb up my arm and even hopped around a little!

[Skul]

You do have you're hands full. :rofl4
Since this isn't you're first rodeo, my worry meter just dropped several notches.

[Nancy in New York]

You do have you're hands full. :rofl4
Since this isn't you're first rodeo, my worry meter just dropped several notches.

Mine too.:)
But sometimes they almost act better right before they take a big downhill turn for the worse, not sure why. Try to keep her as quiet as possible, she really needs to conserve her energy.
Are you offering her a heating pad set on low under half of her container?
I'm a worrier, sorry for so many questions.

[stepnstone]

Yes I've also got 3, 7 month old squirrels I raised from 2 week old babies waiting on the leaves to fully bloom out so I can release them. I have nothing but time I'm a stay at home mom whose kids are all in school now! I don't want to get my hopes up but she's acting a whole lot better! She tried to climb up my arm and even hopped around a little!

Time, patence and love ~
Prayers to you and this little one. :grouphug

[Neely]

Yep got a heating pad under half of her box, I don't mind the questions at all that helps y'all help me!

[Nancy in New York]

Yep got a heating pad under half of her box, I don't mind the questions at all that helps y'all help me!

Thank you, I sure appreciate that. Some people get offended when too many questions are asked.
I love posters like you.:grouphug
I think it may come off like we are giving them the third degree, but sometimes we just rattle them off, to try to get to the bottom of the problem.
OK have to get up early tomorrow.
Have a restful night, and kiss that little monkey for me. :Love_Icon

[Neely]

Well she made it through the night, she eating really well, shes pretty active, normal pee and poop, and she's gained 2 grams she's now 88 grams! One step at a time!

[Nancy in New York]

Well she made it through the night, she eating really well, shes pretty active, normal pee and poop, and she's gained 2 grams she's now 88 grams! One step at a time!

Well this just made my day. Let me tell you, if you pull this little one out of this, I will refer ALL of the Texas calls to you! :D
Yup, slow and steady....that's the only way. :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug

[Skul]

That's great. :thumbsup

[ques96]

Yep got a heating pad under half of her box, I don't mind the questions at all that helps y'all help me!

Not to butt in and no where near expert but you mentioned a box. I have read that a cardboard box can actually increase dehydration. Just a thought. :-)

[island rehabber]

Not to butt in and no where near expert but you mentioned a box. I have read that a cardboard box can actually increase dehydration. Just a thought. :-)

:goodpost yes, it absolutely will. Hopefully the box is a plastic one. :)

[Neely]

She's in a soft cat sleeper thing with a hole in the front and I have a cage to put her in when she starts crawling out. She's doing great, getting strong she even growled at me when I tried to take the nipple out of her mouth, and she climbed up my side trying to get the syring out of my hand!

[SammysMom]

This is such a happy thread!!! Great job!!!:Love_Icon :Love_Icon :Love_Icon

[Neely]

I'm happy to report I have a happy, playful baby now, with solid good looking fox valley poop! She even climb up on my shoulder and played with my hair! Now to try an get her hair looking nice! I'll keep everyone posted, thanks for all the advice! :)

[SammysMom]

:thumbsup :Love_Icon :thumbsup

[Neely]

Still going strong, 94g now!!

[SammysMom]

:bowdown Neely:bowdown
:Love_Icon

[stepnstone]

Still going strong, 94g now!!
:wott :thumbsup

[kastillo]

Good job, your 5 week old skinny mini is as big as my 7 week old skinny minny!!

Keep up the good work!

[TubeDriver]

:alright.gif

[MollyBear361]

:thumbsup

[Neely]

She now seems like a happy normal 6 week old, you would never have guessed she almost died the way she runs around and plays, she up to 96 grams now!!! A little ball of energy and she's super cute now!!

[SammysMom]

:thumbsup :Love_Icon :thumbsup

[MJS]

:wave123 HEY...LURKING IS NO FUN WITHOUT UPDATES AND PICS!!! :poke :poke :rotfl :rotfl :rotfl

[Neely]

How do I post pics?

[farrelli]

Here you go:

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30

[Neely]

How do I upload pics from my iPhone? I still can't figure this out! Update on Hope: she's doing great, drinking out of a bowl now an just being a crazy wild little squirrel!!